“I would like to thank and commend Speaker DeLeo and my former colleagues in the House of Representatives for passing comprehensive domestic violence legislation today. In Boston, there have been more than two thousand incidents of domestic violence referred to our police department this year alone – a number that does not even account for those incidents that go unreported by victims who fear for their safety.

It is clear that as a society, we need to do more to ensure that every home is safe. We need to make sure every victim of domestic violence has protection and support as they try to leave potentially harmful environments. This legislation takes an important step in the right direction, and I look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that the Commonwealth takes a strong stance against perpetrators while supporting victims as they bravely work to break the cycle of domestic violence."